🐎 Horse-Shaped GPS Art Around WINS Sapporo — Urban Walk 🗻
Start the New Year with a creative twist on a city walk by exploring this 9km GPS art route in central Sapporo, tracing the shape of a horse as you go. The route begins at WINS Sapporo, a major off-track betting facility operated by the Japan Racing Association (JRA). Known for its convenient location inside a distinctive “yellow building” near Sapporo’s vibrant nightlife district, WINS Sapporo offers horse racing culture and excitement right in the heart of the city.
From WINS Sapporo, head toward the Sapporo TV Tower, a beloved city symbol offering panoramic views of the surrounding streetscape. Next, take in the beautiful red brick facade of the Hokkaido Government Office, often called the “Red Brick Office,” and continue on to the iconic Sapporo Clock Tower, one of the city’s oldest and most famous landmarks.
As you proceed, you’ll pass modern cultural venues like Sapporo Cultural Arts Theater (hitaru) and Kanamoto Hall, blending artistry into your walk. The route then leads you past Sapporo City Hall before reaching Miyoshi Shrine, an inviting spot for a New Year’s prayer—a meaningful detour during your GPS art journey.
Continuing onward, stroll through Odori Park, a long, green stretch that divides the city’s grid and showcases public art, fountains, and seasonal gardens. The walk then winds through Tanukikoji Shopping Street, a lively covered arcade where you can enjoy local shops and street food, and ends near the stylish dining and café district of Akarenga Terrace.
Sapporo’s central ward features a unique blend of historic and modern urban design, shaped by early 20th-century planning. Its grid-like streets and accessible parks make it an ideal setting for a GPS art route, even for first-time participants. Tracing the form of a horse across this dynamic urban landscape brings together tradition, culture, and playfulness.
Whether you’re visiting shrines, capturing city sights, or enjoying the local food scene, this GPS art course offers a delightful and memorable way to celebrate the Year of the Horse in Sapporo. Lace up your walking shoes, start at WINS Sapporo, and let your path become art.
DETAIL (EXTERNAL LINK)
A PIONEER IN GPS ART.
1st work was authorized by Guinness World Records as “the Largest GPS Drawing”.
He is the only Japanese person to be featured in a Google documentary as an innovator. He is fascinated by the idea of drawing with GPS and has published more than 2,500 works.
